The WNT/β-catenin signaling in the context of odontogenic cysts and tumors: an update

Lucas Fabian Polti; Fernanda Aragão Felix; Mariana Silveira Souza; Rafael Aguiar de Sousa; Gabriela Ribeiro de Araujo; Silvia Ferreira de  Sousa

doi:10.5327/2525-5711.335

Autores

Lucas Fabian Polti Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry – Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5318-5470
Fernanda Aragão Felix Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry – Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3054-4642
Mariana Silveira Souza Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry – Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8194-1425
Rafael Aguiar de Sousa Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry – Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6217-1418
Gabriela Ribeiro de Araujo Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry – Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9232-906X
Silvia Ferreira de Sousa Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Dentistry – Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7820-4749

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/2525-5711.335

Palavras-chave:

WNT signaling pathway, Odontogenic cysts, Odontogenic tumors, Immunohistochemistry, Molecular biology

Resumo

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is tightly controlled under typical physiological conditions, being involved in teeth developmental processes. Its dysregulation and the abnormal activation of downstream target genes can result from mutations in essential pathway components. These dysregulations might ultimately foster odontogenic cysts and tumors onset and progression. In this review, we retrieve the main alterations reported in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the context of odontogenic cysts and tumors. Increasing evidence supports the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway disruption in the biology of calcifying odontogenic cyst, odontoma, adenoid ameloblastoma, and ghost cell-containing odontogenic tumors. A deeper understanding of these molecular mechanisms may contribute to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the future.

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